2009

AILA views the introduction by Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) of a comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) bill as an important step in creating momentum for an overhaul of our nation’s broken immigration system.

AILA welcomed the introduction by Menendez, Landrieu, Inouye, Durbin, Gillibrand, and Feingold of the Military Families Act (S.2757), which would grant LPR to immediate family members of active members of military and veterans even when the sponsoring solider has lost his or her life in service.

AILA welcomed the call by Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) yesterday for comprehensive immigration reform. Gutierrez presented an outline of core principles that could serve as a basis for a new CIR bill.

AILA applauds the Obama Administration's efforts to repair the scandal-plagued immigration detention system by consolidating detainees in facilities that reflect their status as non-criminals, providing sound medical care, and establishing more centralized oversight of detention centers.

AILA recognizes the sad passing of Senator Ted Kennedy, a lifetime public servant and distinguished leader of the Senate chamber. Senator Kennedy tirelessly worked to promote and protect the rights of all Americans and to welcome immigrants in pursuit of the American Dream.

AILA applauds the positive message on immigration reform conveyed by President Obama and DHS Secretary Napolitano at an 8/20/09 White House meeting of advocates and others. AILA looks forward to the President’s and the Secretary’s leadership on this issue in the days ahead.

On 7/9/09 the U.S. Senate passed the FY2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill (H.R. 2892) by a vote of 84-6, which includes new immigration-related provisions representing a mixed bag of worksite enforcement and humanitarian legislation.

AILA welcomes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposal to remove Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection from the definition of “communicable disease of public health significance” which previously barred individuals from entering the U.S.

On June 3, 2009, Attorney General, Eric Holder, vacated the decision in Matter of Compean regarding claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. AILA is grateful for this restoration of a basic constitutional process and due process, in the immigration court system.

AILA is excited to announce its involvement in the “Reform Immigration for America” campaign, which kicked off on 6/1/09. The campaign is a unified effort to fix America’s broken immigration system through a comprehensive legislative approach.

AILA welcomes several developments that signal that immigration reform is gaining momentum, including the introduction of legislation that seeks to restore America's commitment to family unity and a White House announcement of a high-level immigration reform meeting with Congressional leaders.

The Obama Administration continues to indicate that comprehensive immigration reform is on the agenda. DHS Secretary Napolitano reiterated her support for the DREAM act and yesterday White House officials unveiled a $27 billion plan for border and transportation security as part of the 2010 budget.

In light of the Supreme Court identity theft decision in Flores-Figueroa, AILA believes that Attorney General Eric Holder should order a full investigation of the criminal convictions of undocumented workers following the May 2008 raid on Agriprocessors, Inc. in Postville, Iowa.

AILA is encouraged by events of the past 24 hours as President Obama renewed his Administration’s pledge to pursue comprehensive immigration reform, DHS focused on worksite enforcement actions more on criminal prosecutions of employers, and the Senate Judiciary held a CIR hearing.

AILA was pleased that the A.F.L.-C.I.O. and Change to Win joined together and agreed to support comprehensive immigration reform that would include a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. However, AILA is concerned by proposals that attack H-1B and L visa programs.

AILA commends President Obama for the Administration’s statement today that it plans to advance the effort to reform our immigration system including eliminating illegal immigration and providing a path to citizenship for hardworking immigrant families.

The rush to file H-1B petitions on April 1st serves as a reminder that the numerical limitation on H-1B visas prevents American businesses from timely, targeted and sufficient access to the global workforce of professionals that can open the door to innovation and international markets.

AILA welcomes the introduction on 3/26/09 of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), which allows high achieving immigrant students to receive the chance for higher education or military service, and the opportunity to contribute in a strikingly productive way.

AILA applauds the introduction of the Immigration Fraud Prevention Act of 2009 (S. 577), introduced Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Kennedy (D-MA), which would make it a federal crime to defraud individuals in connection with any matter arising under the immigration laws.

AILA notes that the release of a GAO report on ICE’s 287(g) program, which coincided with a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing, confirms what community groups and local law enforcement authorities have known for a long time: the 287(g) program just doesn’t work.

AILA expresses its disappointment that the Sanders H-1B amendment, which saddles TARP fund recipients with strict regulations for hiring foreign workers under the H-1B program, remains part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R.1).

Congress adopted by voice vote an amendment that in effect will make financial institutions who receive funding under the TARP program hard pressed to hire any foreign nationals (or extend the visas of currently employed foreign workers) for a 2-year period.

AILA welcomes Attorney General Eric Holder’s statement that he will reexamine a Bush Administration legal decision about the right to counsel in immigration hearings because the Constitution and immigration law require that deportation proceedings be fundamentally fair.

As our nation struggles to reverse the downward spiral and get back on course, America’s H-1B program has come under fire. Recent articles have targeted the program as "anti-American” and “unpatriotic,” but what exactly is America’s H-1B program designed to do? Let’s set the record straight!

Noting her new position representing one of the most populous and immigrant dense states in the country, Kristen Gillibrand is congratulated by AILA for her selection to fill the vacant New York Senate seat.

AILA calls upon the new Administration to eschew the harsh, indiscriminate enforcement-only policies of the past eight years in favor of a more rational and just approach to immigration policy that restores the rule of law and serves America’s core economic, security, and humanitarian interests.